New-look buses set to hit streets

This is the first image of the new buses which are set to hit the streets of the Black Country in March.

The first bus to be branded with the National Express logo, replacing the decades old Travel West Midlands icon, was being unveiled by the chief executive Richard Bowker in Birmingham today.

It marks the end of an era as the name Travel West Midlands (TWM) will disappear from the region's buses when they go in for routine maintenance this year.

The move by parent company National Express is part of a plan across the country by the coach and train giant to bring all of its companies under one logo. Bosses say it will make travel simpler for passengers all over the the UK.

National Express UK Division was formed on January 1 as part of the new international National Express Group, which saw the company's headquarters move from London to Hagley Road, Birmingham.

The organisation, which employs 16,000 people, includes four train firms, five bus companies, airport and commuter bus services and UK coach services.

It is not yet known whether the Midland Metro, also run by National Express, will include the new logos. TWM has had its name since it merged with National Express in 1995 and had been West Midlands Travel since 1986.

Mr Bowker said: "It is important that we have a brand that makes sense to passengers and is easily recognisable as National Express, whether they are travelling on a train, bus, coach, or our airport transfer service."

The company recently unveiled luxury buses with leather seats and a money back guarantee on punctuality on major routes between Birmingham and Walsall.

The fleet of 18 new state-of-the-art vehicles will include soft leather seats and digital CCTV.